LSU is continuing its tradition of the No. 8 baseball jersey by bestowing it on senior catcher/first baseman Hayden Travinski for the 2024 season. The No. 8 is given to an upperclassman that best portrays the spirit of LSU Baseball through leadership and dedication to the program.
The tradition started with Mikie Mahtook in 2009 before being continued with legends like Mason Katz, Alex Bregman, Jake Fraley, Cole Freeman, Antoine Duplantis, Daniel Cabrera, Matthew Beck, and Gavin Dugas.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to continue this tradition and excited for another great season,” Travinksi said, a Shreveport native that helped LSU win the 2023 College World Series title.
Travinski has played in 112 games in Baton Rouge, hitting .286 with nine doubles, 21 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 54 runs scored. He is a two-time selection to the SEC Academic Honor Roll and ended his Bachelor’s degree this past spring.
“You could make the argument that, outside of Dylan Crews, there was not a more valuable player on our team down the stretch of the 2023 season than Hayden Travinski,” head coach Jay Johnson said. “There aren’t many players that have the power at the plate and the arm strength that he has. I think Hayden feels like his best baseball at LSU is still in him, and I know he’s fired up for this opportunity.”
Travinski was named the starting catcher in April and played a huge role in the title run. He hit .356 on the season in 41 games with five doubles, 10 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 30 runs.
He took his hitting to another level late in the season when he homered in each of the final five SEC series. He also hit .538 in the conference tournament before being named to the Baton Rouge Regional All-Tournament Team in June for hitting .429 with a double, two homers, five RBIs, and five runs in the regional.